He began his career in 1987 and had become one of the biggest stars in the company by 1990, defeating Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania VI to win the world title.

Saturday's Hall of Fame induction marked his return to WWE after an 18-year absence. During his Hall of Fame speech, he announced that he'd signed a new multi-year deal with WWE to serve as an official ambassador.

The wrestler was known for his intricate face-paint, bulging muscles and frenzied speeches, sprinting to the ring and violently shaking the ropes before his matches.

During Monday's episode of "WWE Raw," he slipped on a mask, embracing his character a final time, his words full of heart and poignancy.

"No WWE talent becomes a legend on their own," he said. "Every man's heart one day beats its final beat. His lungs breathe their final breath. And if what that man did in his life makes the blood pulse through the body of others and makes them bleed deeper in something that's larger than life, then his essence, his spirit, will be immortalized by the storytellers -- by the loyalty, by the memory of those who honor him, and make the running the man did live forever.